Meet The Extraordinary Denizens Of The Tibetan Plateau
One of the most remote places on Earth is home to some of the rarest mammal species―Tibetan Antelope, Tibetan Gazelle, Przewalski's Gazelle, Wild Yak and more
by
Staffan Widstrand
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China’s Tibetan Plateau, also known as the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, is one of the most remote and extreme places on Earth. Sometimes referred to as 'The Third Pole', it is the largest, highest and youngest plateau in the world. The average altitude is between 3500 and 5000 metres above sea level, and it is surrounded by some of the world's highest mountains and mountain chains, including the Himalayas. The Tibetan Plateau is home to many species of mammals that are unique to the region, including the Tibetan Antelope, Tibetan Gazelle, Kiang (a high-mountain wild ass species), the almost extinct Przewalski's Gazelle and the rare Wild Yak. The Tibetan Wolf is also a relatively common species, with the region boasting a healthy prey population of Blue Sheep and White-lipped Deer. The Tibetan Plateau also hosts two of the world’s largest nature reserves, Hoh Xil, also known as Kekexili (45,000sq.km.) and Changtang (334,000sq.km.).
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Asian Wild Ass, or Kiang (Equus kiang), grazing on the vast plains of Hoh Xil or Kekexili Nature Reserve.
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One of the world’s few remaining great grazers, the Wild Yak (Bos mutus), is the original ancestor of the millions of domestic yak that are vitally important to the people of Tibetan Plateau. This magnificent species is genetically similar to the Aurochs (extinct wild ox of Europe from which cattle probably descended). Local populations of the Wild Yak are now steeply rising, especially within the Kekexili Nature Reserve. However, it feels the safest to enjoy these bulls that weigh a ton from a distance.
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A White-lipped or Thorold’s Deer stag (Cervus albirostris) photographed against the red autumn hues of the sparse high-altitude vegetation. Hunting was banned in the region in the 2000s, and several generations of these former hunting prey have learned that humans are not all that dangerous―a reputation we do not deserve in most places.
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The Przewalski’s Gazelle (Procapra przewalskii) is one of the rarest mammals on Earth and possibly the rarest gazelle. Endemic to China, it exists only around Qinghai Lake, or Koko Nor, in the Tibetan Plateau. Ten years ago, there were only ⁓250 individuals left in the wild. Following stringent protection measures, the number today stands at around 2500! We saw more than 400 of them in a single day. It is incredible what a hunting ban and efforts to restore the habitat can achieve. In comparison to illegal hunting, wildlife tourism can add five times more economic value to the local community and will ensure the continued protection of the region’s wild resources.
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A grazing mother and foal Asian Wild Ass in the Kekexili Nature Reserve.
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A male Blue Sheep (Ovis nahoor) looks out over the pass, seemingly dedicated to his role as the sentinel watchman of his flock, keeping an eye out for Snow Leopards. This herd was quite relaxed and seemed to judge us as less of a hazard than Snow Leopards.
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A young Tibetan Wolf (Canis lupus thibetanus) that belongs to a pack of seven we saw every morning. The Tibetan Wolf is a common sighting in the region but is not everyone’s favourite, especially among the yak herdsmen.
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The Tibetan Antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii), also called Chiru, is another endemic species of the region. Once one of the most common species here, counted in the millions and known to migrate seasonally, akin to the Wildebeest of Serengeti, their numbers had dwindled to a few thousand following years of rampant hunting. They are hunted for their horns, and the fine hair on their chest and underbelly used to make Shahtoosh wool, one of the most expensive fabrics on Earth. Now a protected species and with the ban on hunting, the antelope numbers are rising again!
Thursday, 16 March, 2023
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Staffan Widstrand is a multiple award-winning photographer based in Sweden. He is a National Geographic Explorer and a Sony Imaging Ambassador. Most of Staffan's work is about highlighting the joy of our natural heritage and attempting to inspire us to better protect and take care of it. He is the author of 19 books in 9 languages.